3.1.5

Cities of the Mali Empire

Test yourself

Geography of the Empire of Mali: Cities

The Empire of Mali covered most territory between the Sahara desert and the coast of West Africa. It was once one of the richest places in the world.

Illustrative background for Key factsIllustrative background for Key facts ?? "content

Key facts

  • The empire spanned over the area known today as Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Chad, Ghana and many others. Its area was over 2,000 miles!
Illustrative background for Main citiesIllustrative background for Main cities ?? "content

Main cities

  • Its main cities were:
    • Timbuktuis (or Timbuktu): a regional trading centre for gold, ivory, and slaves. It had a huge part in the cultural and intellectual life of the Empire.
    • Jenne: a major centre that focused on long-distance trade.
    • Gao: an important trading area that became even more important over time. Its significance was most apparent during the final few years of the empire.
Illustrative background for GovernanceIllustrative background for Governance ?? "content

Governance

  • The empire had more than one leader. The king, known as a Mansa, was the one who collected taxes but each region had its own system of government.
    • Each region could choose how to make its own government work. Such positions could be elected or inherited.
  • The central powers of the empire were Niani. Local representatives would convene there to discuss issues.
    • Opposition against the Mansa was less likely when localities were well represented.
Illustrative background for The city of GaoIllustrative background for The city of Gao ?? "content

The city of Gao

  • Gao was a largely independent and incredibly wealthy city in the empire.
  • The Tuareg people ransacked the city in the late 1330s. They were nomads, which meant they moved from place to place instead of settling in one area.
Illustrative background for End of empireIllustrative background for End of empire ?? "content

End of empire

  • The Tuareg people started keeping the taxes that were meant for the Mansa. This led to a decline in the empire's wealth.
    • Gao later became the capital of the Songhay Empire, a rival to the Mali Empire.
    • The Songhay Empire would completely take over their rival by 1600.

Jump to other topics

1The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

1.1Anglo-Saxon England

1.2The Contest for the English Throne

1.3Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

1.4King John

1.5The Magna Carta & Parliament

1.6The Black Death

2Worldviews

3The Empire of Mali

4The Renaissance & Reformations, 1500-1598 AD

5The British Empire, 1583-1960 AD

6The Peasants' Revolt

7Religion in the Middle Ages

8Slavery, 1619-1833 AD

9The English Civil War, 1642-1660

10The Industrial Revolution, 1750-1840

11US Independence, 1775-1783

12The French Revolution, 1789-1815

13The British Empire, 1857–1930

14Suffrage

15World War 1, 1914-1918

16The Inter-War Years, 1919-1939

17World War 2, 1939-1945

18The Cold War, 1947-1962

19Civil Rights in the USA, 1954-1975

Go student ad image

Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring

  • Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home

  • Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs

  • 30+ school subjects covered

Book a free trial lesson